Buoyant Production Technologies Demonstrator unit set for testing at FABTEST in Summer 2025.

Buoyant Production Technologies Demonstrator Unit set for Testing at FABTEST in Summer 2025

Public Consultation 6pm-8pm, Wednesday 9th April, Falmouth Harbour Meeting pod, Grove Place Slipway, Falmouth, TR11 4AU.

Buoyant Production Technologies Ltd. (BPT), a Southampton-based SME technology company, has begun construction of a small-scale Demonstrator unit for testing at the Falmouth Bay Test Site (FaBTest) in summer 2025.

The test programme encompasses several technology initiatives requiring offshore testing for proof of concept before commercial applications. The primary objective during testing is to demonstrate the novel hullform’s offshore performance. Once these tests are complete, the hull designs will be scaled up to support future unmanned offshore energy projects, including floating substations for offshore wind projects, and power/control hubs for offshore carbon capture & storage, and hydrocarbon projects.

In addition to hull performance, BPT will be testing a novel software tool, SAFEMOOR. This machine learning tool evaluates the real-time performance of a mooring system, optimizing inspection and maintenance. Developed by BPT’s parent company, Crondall Energy Consultants, with support from the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, SAFEMOOR will be deployed on future Floating Offshore Wind projects to monitor mooring and cable system integrity.

The Demonstrator features a steel cylindrical hull supporting a small payload with instrumentation and power generation within a container on the topside. The hull is being fabricated locally at APCL A&P Falmouth, while the topsides equipment is assembled in Haydock and transported to Falmouth by road for integration. The hull measures 4.8m in diameter at the waterline, extends approximately 4m above the sea surface, and will be located about 4.75km offshore.

Offshore testing is expected to commence in late June 2025 following the completion of fabrication and system integration. Testing will continue through October, after which the unit will be fully removed from the site.

If you have any queries about the project, BPT will be holding a ‘drop in session’ at the FHC Pod facility in Falmouth on the 9th April from 6pm-8pm where the project team will be available.

BPT’s project is being supported by Falmouth Harbour, Celtic Sea Power, Petronas, the Net Zero Technology Centre, Lloyds Register and Schneider Electric.

The project is currently under licensing consideration with the Marine Management Organisation. Application Reference MLA/2024/00644.

Miles Carden, CEO Falmouth Harbour:
“Falmouth Harbour are looking forward to welcoming this device to FaBTest later this year. The device deployment is a great example of Falmouth’s capabilities to support innovation in marine technologies. We look forward to working closely with all partners involved to ensure the success of this important project.”

Giles Francis, Commercial Director at A&P Falmouth, said:
“APCL A&P Falmouth is delighted to be supporting Crondall Energy with this innovative project, allowing us to demonstrate our fabrication expertise. We look forward to seeing the BPT Demonstrator project successfully completing its trials in the Falmouth Bay Test Site later this year.”

David Steed – General Manager of BPT commented:
“We are very excited to be testing the Demonstrator unit at FABTEST in the summer. The offshore testing is a key milestone in our development programme, enabling us to prove the design concept will meet our client’s needs. FABTEST was selected over other UK test sites due to the ideal offshore wave environment, the track record of past successful testing on the site, and the close availability of experienced contractors, such as the fabrication facility at APCL A&P Falmouth.”

Matt Hodson, Chief Operations Officer at Celtic Sea Power Ltd, said:
“Celtic Sea Power are delighted to be supporting BPT in the consenting phase of this exciting project. We see this as an excellent example of building on previous work, and critical relationships, in order to bring forward disruptive industry innovations capable of supporting future offshore clean energy projects”.